Apple TV+'s Dark Matter Trailer Boldy Spoils One Of The Book's Biggest Twists

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Blake Crouch's 2016 novel, Dark Matter, which will likely spoil the Apple TV+ adaptation.

Summary The Apple TV+ trailer for Dark Matter reveals a major twist, setting up a high-octane sci-fi adaptation faithful to the novel but spoiling a big surprise.

Dark Matter's author Crouch has creative control over the TV show, ensuring a faithful adaptation. The cast includes top talent like Joel Edgerton.

Despite the trailer revealing a big plot twist, Dark Matter still promises a high-stakes, gritty sci-fi adventure that belongs in Apple TV+'s esteemed collection.

The trailer for Apple TV+'s adaptation of Blake Crouch's Dark Matter novel reveals the story's high-octane plot, with the studio also including one of the book's biggest twists. The 2016 novel is a multiversal sci-fi adventure, and the trailer assures a faithful adaptation. However, while it skillfully teases certain aspects of the story, it also spoils one of the narrative's biggest turning points. While the spoiler won't come as a surprise to fans of the book, it robs those unfamiliar with Dark Matter of a shocking revelation for those exploring the newest addition to Apple TV+'s extensive sci-fi collection.

Dark Matter isn't the first of Crouch's books to be adapted for TV. 2015's Wayward Pines was also based on the author's book trilogy of the same name. However, Crouch has a much greater level of creative control over Dark Matter than he did for Wayward Pines. As well as serving as Dark Matter's showrunner, Blake Crouch wrote many of the TV show's scripts. So, while there are several things Apple TV+'s Dark Matter TV show must get right about the book, there's already plenty of evidence to suggest the production will always have one eye on the original story.

Related The 25 Best TV Shows On Apple TV+ Right Now (April 2024) From comedies including Ted Lasso and Mythic Quest to dramas including Severance, there are many great TV shows available to binge-watch on Apple TV+.

Apple TV+'s Dark Matter Trailer Weirdly Reveals Jason Is Running From An Alternate Version Of Himself

Both Jasons in Dark Matter are played by Joel Edgerton

Some of the best trailers tend to play their cards very close to their chest. Creating a sense of intrigue while also leaving unanswered questions is the fine line that many studios fail to tread. Apple TV+ has gone in at the deep end with the Dark Matter trailer by dropping the huge spoiler that the story's villain is an alternate version of its hero. This revelation is one of the original book's most dramatic moments, and the trailer robs those unfamiliar with the tale of a shocking reveal that should have been embedded in the episodes upon release.

Seeing as it was originally published in 2016, Blake Crouch's Dark Matter novel came before the multiverse boom, so the market wasn't quite as saturated with adventures set across various realities at the time. Now that movies like 2021's Spider-Man: No Way Home and 2022's Everything Everywhere All at Once are much more present in modern media, Dark Matter's story seems a little less original by default. So, while it makes sense that Apple TV+ would include the big Jason reveal in the trailer to hook audiences, it's still a little heavy-handed.

There are several versions of Jason Dessen in the original Dark Matter book, so Joel Edgerton will likely portray many more than two of them.

Dark Matter Still Has A Lot To Enjoy Despite Knowing The Jason Twist

Apple TV+ is very adept at science-fiction

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Even though Jason's realization that he's essentially running from himself is one of the book's most memorable moments, knowing it in advance doesn't completely ruin the story. Dark Matter is a high-concept sci-fi adventure that is perfectly suited to be added to Apple TV+'s vast collection within the same genre. Those who enjoyed Constellation are highly likely to also like Dark Matter, with the gritty tone of both shows brilliantly augmenting the high personal stakes of their respective main characters.

Apple TV+'s Dark Matter trailer isn't alone in its oversharing of plot details. In fact, the issue goes beyond Apple TV+, with the trend being part of a much larger problem across various studios.

Dark Matter's cast is also cause for excitement. Led by Obi-Wan Kenobi's Joel Edgerton, Dark Matter also features other brilliant acting talent, such as Jennifer Connelly (Top Gun: Maverick), Alice Braga (I am Legend), and Jimmi Simpson (Westworld). Apple TV+'s experience of making sci-fi TV shows is unmatched in recent years, so there's no doubt Crouch's project will have been well funded and handled with respect. The footage in the trailer is slick, fast-paced, and exciting, all in ways that assure the show's high production values.

Dark Matter's Trailer Spoiler Continues An Unfortunate Trend

Many modern trailers often reveal too much about the plot

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Apple TV+'s Dark Matter trailer isn't alone in its oversharing of plot details. In fact, the issue goes beyond Apple TV+, with the trend being part of a much larger problem across various studios. A trailer's primary purpose is to draw in potential viewers by teasing some of the story's most compelling attributes. While the Dark Matter trailer does this in a fashion, it lacks subtlety and reveals far too much about the plot without ever seeing the show itself. Unfortunately, many trailers released in the modern age also share this flaw.

Related Dark Matter Is Allowing 1 Director To Explore A Sci-Fi Trope Ignored By Her Most Famous Project One of the directors of Apple TV+'s upcoming sci-fi show is being given the chance to finally work with one of the genre's biggest hallmarks.

The ideal situation for any project would arguably be for its audience to watch without any prior knowledge of what's about to happen. Given the saturation of modern-day media, this simply isn't realistic, hence the presence of so many trailers trying to attract viewers. Over time, trailers have become less and less coy about what they're willing to reveal, and while the Dark Matter trailer is a prime example of that guardedness now essentially being non-existent, it's also just a product of decades of studios tweaking the formula for promotion.

Dark Matter begins with a double-episode premiere on Apple TV+ on May 8, 2024.